ESL Eating Out Writing

The ESL eating out writing exercises on this page are an excellent way to practice using eating out vocabulary. You can take time to find the best word to use now, so that when you are in a foreign country and in a restaurant you will be prepared and know what you should say.

This page has the four following eating out writing tasks:

• List of topics for you to write about.
• A passage you have to write a summary of.
• A picture that you have to write a written description of.
• Some role-play topics that you have to write about.

If you need any help finding the best word to use for any of these tasks you can look at the ESL eating out vocabulary page. This page has a long list of vocabulary items all with definitions so you know what they mean.

ESL Eating Out Writing Exercises

Exercise 1 – Writing Topics

For this first ESL eating out writing task you need to choose one of the following topics and write about it. You should write as much as you can and use full sentences and paragraphs. Try to use as much different and new vocabulary as possible. The more you write about the topic the better you will get a writing. If you want to you can try to do all three writing topics.

• Describe the best restaurant you have ever been to.
• Explain why it is good to go and eat out sometimes.
• Describe what a waiter has to do for their job.

Exercise 2 – Writing a Summary

In the second ESL eating out writing activity you need to read the following passage and then rewrite it. You should just keep the main points when you rewrite it so you will be producing a summary of the passage. You should use new or different words from those used in the original.

Eating Out in Paris: Important Tips for Tourists

Paris is well-known for its cuisine, and it has a world class culinary reputation. Its popular restaurants are always filled with both locals and tourists. If you visit Paris for the first time and want to get the best culinary experience, the following tips should be kept in mind.

Opening Hours
In Paris, every restaurant has its own hours and only a few restaurants open until midnight. If you want to eat out at a popular restaurant and be sure of getting a table, it is better to book first or get there by 8pm. If you prefer to dine early, you can go to some restaurants that are open during the day and still serve food until 7pm. Many restaurants stop operating their kitchens after 10.30pm, so it is often difficult to find a restaurant open in the middle of the night. 

Where to Sit
Empty tables do not guarantee you a seat. If the tables are already booked, the waiter will not seat you until the guests arrive and finish their dinner. In Parisian restaurants, customers cannot be rushed and can stay as long as they want. Therefore, asking before seating yourself is the right etiquette. Just walking in and sit at an empty table is not advisable, except at a very informal eatery.

Free Stuff
In France, bread, cutlery, glasses and serviettes are complimentary. Some restaurants even provide free appetizers for their loyal customers. Of course, a carafe or tap water is also complementary and you can ask for it more than once.

Finally, because a tip is included in the bill, you do not have to leave a tip. Tipping in Paris is about 5-10%. If you prefer not to tip, you can spend your money instead on flowers sold on restaurant terraces and give it to the person you are with.

Exercise 3 – Describing a Picture

For the third ESL eating out writing exercise you need to look at the following picture and describe what is happening. Write about what you can see in the picture and what the people are doing. But also write about where they are and what could be happening around the outside of the picture. Include as many details as you can.

Exercise 4 – Writing Role-plays

The fourth ESL eating out writing task is one where you need to write a role-play. There are two role-play outlines given below and you need to choose one of them. Then write what the people would say to each other. Once you have finished writing the role-play you should find some friends and act-out the role-play so you get experience of speaking the words you have written.

Role-play 1

• Location: In a house
• Situation: 1 friend has a new job working in a restaurant and they are describing it
• Participants: 3 friends

Role-play 2

• Location: In a restaurant
• Situation: A family (2 adults and 2 children) are ordering food.
• Participants: Family members and waiter